Medication delivery apparatus and system having a visual indicator

Abstract

A flow indicating system that includes a conduit that contains a substance, wherein the conduit defines a path along which the substance primarily flows and a viewing port attached to the conduit and the viewing port prevents substantially non-ambient atmosphere gases and substances from escaping therefrom and allows visualization of an internal space defined by the viewing port. A flow indicator that is positioned within the conduit so as to be viewed via the viewing port and is positioned so as to not to substantially interfere with a flow of the substance along the path.

1. A flow indicating system comprising:
 a conduit adapted to contain a substance, wherein said conduit defines a flow path along which the substance is adapted to primarily flow; 
 a viewing port connected to said conduit, wherein said viewing port allows visualization of an internal space defined at least in part by said viewing port; and 
 a flow indicator positioned within and visible through said viewing port, said flow indicator hingedly supported relative to said conduit, wherein said flow indicator is pivotable about a hinge axis in a first direction from an at rest position to an inhalation position in response to an inhalation pressure applied thereto, wherein said flow indicator is pivotable about said hinge axis in a second direction in response to an absence of the inhalation pressure being applied thereto, and wherein said second direction is opposite said first direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The flow indicating system of  claim 1  further comprising a valve disposed in said conduit, wherein said flow indicator is hingedly connected to said valve. 
     
     
       3. The flow indicating system of  claim 2  wherein said flow indicator and said valve are integrally formed with a living hinge defining said hinge axis. 
     
     
       4. The flow indicating system of  claim 2  wherein said valve and said flow indicator are formed as separate components connected with a hinge pin. 
     
     
       5. The flow indicating system of  claim 2  wherein said valve is disposed in said flow path. 
     
     
       6. The flow indicating system of  claim 5  wherein said valve is a one-way inhalation valve. 
     
     
       7. The flow indicating system of  claim 6  wherein said conduit comprises a chamber, wherein said one-way inhalation valve is located at an output end of said chamber. 
     
     
       8. The flow indicating system of  claim 1  wherein said flow indicator is hingedly connected to a housing component. 
     
     
       9. The flow indicating system of  claim 8  wherein said housing component defines in part said conduit. 
     
     
       10. The flow indicating system of  claim 9  wherein said housing component comprise a mouthpiece. 
     
     
       11. The flow indicating system of  claim 8  wherein said flow indicator is directly hingedly connected to said housing component. 
     
     
       12. The flow indicating system of  claim 11  wherein one of said housing component or said flow indicator comprises a ridge, and the other of said housing component or said flow indicator comprises a slot shaped to receive said ridge, wherein said ridge is disposed in said slot so as to hingedly connected said flow indicator and said housing component. 
     
     
       13. The flow indicating system of  claim 11  wherein said flow indicator is adhesively secured to said housing component. 
     
     
       14. The flow indicating system of  claim 1  wherein said conduit is formed as part of a nebulizer system. 
     
     
       15. The flow indicating system of  claim 1  wherein said conduit is formed as part of a dry powder inhaler. 
     
     
       16. The flow indicating system of  claim 1  wherein said flow indicator is biased toward said at-rest position in the absence of said inhalation pressure. 
     
     
       17. The flow indicating system of  claim 1  further comprising a mask defining in part said conduit, wherein said mask comprises a nasal reception area substantially aligned with said viewing port. 
     
     
       18. A flow indicating system comprising:
 a conduit adapted to contain a substance, wherein said conduit defines a flow path along which the substance is adapted to primarily flow; 
 a viewing port connected to said conduit, wherein said viewing port allows visualization of an internal space defined at least in part by said viewing port; 
 a valve disposed in said conduit; and 
 a flow indicator positioned within and visible through said viewing port, said flow indicator hingedly connected to said valve, wherein said flow indicator is pivotable about a hinge axis in a first direction from an at rest position to an inhalation position in response to an inhalation pressure applied thereto, wherein said flow indicator is pivotable about said hinge axis in a second direction in response to an absence of the inhalation pressure being applied thereto, and wherein said second direction is opposite said first direction. 
 
     
     
       19. A flow indicating system comprising:
 a housing defining at least in part a conduit adapted to contain a substance, wherein said conduit defines a flow path along which the substance is adapted to primarily flow; 
 a viewing port connected to said housing, wherein said viewing port allows visualization of an internal space defined at least in part by said viewing port; and 
 a flow indicator positioned within and visible through said viewing port, said flow indicator directly, hingedly connected to said housing, wherein said flow indicator is pivotable about a hinge axis in a first direction from an at rest position to an inhalation position in response to an inhalation pressure applied thereto, wherein said flow indicator is pivotable about said hinge axis in a second direction in response to an absence of the inhalation pressure being applied thereto, and wherein said second direction is opposite said first direction. 
 
     
     
       20. The flow indicating system of  claim 19  wherein one of said housing or said flow indicator comprises a ridge, and the other of said housing or said flow indicator comprises a slot shaped to receive said ridge, wherein said ridge is disposed in said slot so as to hingedly connected said flow indicator and said housing. 
     
     
       21. The flow indicating system of  claim 19  wherein said flow indicator is adhesively secured to said housing.